Saarbrücken – A brutal attack on a regional train near Saarbrücken ended with the perpetrator being acquitted – but under special conditions. A 32-year-old man who critically injured a 21-year-old passenger by stabbing him in the neck was acquitted by the Saarbrücken regional court on grounds of incompetence. Instead of a prison sentence, the court ordered the man to be committed to a psychiatric facility. The judges did not see attempted murder, only attempted manslaughter.
The incident occurred on June 11th, shortly before Saarbrücken main train station. The young man, who was wearing headphones and looking at his cell phone, was attacked without warning. The attack left not only physical but also psychological traces: the 21-year-old was unable to work for weeks and still suffers from sleep disorders to this day. A noticeable scar reminds him of the crime every day. During the trial, the defendant apologized to his victim and showed remorse, explaining that his desperate life situation had driven him to the crime.
According to the reports, the perpetrator is in an acute state of delusion, triggered by a psychiatric illness. The psychiatrist explained that the man suffered from schizophrenia and felt persecuted at the time of the crime. He heard voices that put him in a state of threat. During the trial he was treated with medication to stabilize his mental state.
The judges justified the decision with the danger posed by the perpetrator. In his condition, any random passerby could become a victim. The duration of his stay in the psychiatric clinic is regularly reviewed by the responsible authorities. The verdict is not yet final. It remains to be seen whether the prosecution or defense will lodge a provocation. Subscribe to the Blue Light Report Saarland WhatsApp channel NOW and ALWAYS stay up to date directly (click here)
